I will be visiting Croatia in May with my husband and two sons age 24 and 23.Understand that the bus will pass thru Bosnia and they will check passports.We are holding singapore passport and I have found out that we need visa to enter Bosnia.To make things worse there is no Boania embassy in my country.The nearest one being KL in Malaysia.They suspend the issue of visa and so the nearest one they told me will be Jakarta in Indonesia.Does anyone that have taken this bus route give me some insights into this border crossing.I'm looking forward to this trip and it will be such a diappointment if we can't make it to Dubrovnik cos of the visa.We are taking the over night ferry from Ancona to Split..arriving 14May (one night in Split) and planning to take the bus to arrive in Dubrovnik 15May for 5 nights before going back to Split to take the overnite ferry back to Ancona.All advise and sugestions are most welcome.Thanks

JdJ,

Don't worry about it.

The bus stops in Neum for a perfunctory "check." The official sticks his head in the bus, nods, talks to the driver and that's about it. If I remember correctly, there is a potty break there too (or maybe just up the road).

It's not a problem. Enjoy the ride -- it's great!

If you're just passing through Bosnia on a Croatian bus, I don't think there's any problem - you don't need a visa for Bosnia. There must be somebody who's done it recently who can confirm that.

Metlc and GeoffHamer,

Thanks so much for that encouragement....I was thinking of changing plans to go to Hvar and Sibnek instead but now with such assurance from those that have went thru I definitely go for it.

JdJ:

We did that this past September, and I agree, the border was absolutely no sweat. Nobody looked at our passports. I had mine ready, but it was not necessary.

The whole thing is a formality, really, as you never truly enter Bosnia. The bus pulls into a pretty nice roadside stop that is way out in the middle of nowhere. You have a rather lengthy stop , I suppose so that you will eat, drink, buy stuff in the shop, and leave some money in Bosnia. They last thing they want to do is to hassle the tourists, so you never see an official.

Nukesafe:
Its great to hear from you..that have experience and give me alot more comfort as I go along with our planning.People like you make the difference when I have doubts.One question? do you think i should book the first in Split first before I go for our one night stay in Trogir.I am wondering if we should stay in Trogir or Split due to the fact that its is only a short stay and on we move.But hearing so much about the beauty of Trogir makes me want to stay there.Any advise? thanks

Hi there.I can really identify with your concern re the Bosnia visa issue. We visited Croatia in September last year and I was in a real sweat about the Bosnia visa issue as we also intended to take the bus from Dubrovnik to Split. Anyway, during our first week or so in Croatia I asked at various travel agencies with the same response from them all.....no visa needed for the "Neum corridor". As long as you are legally in Croatia, no problem. The border officials did in fact board our bus, just glanced at our passports. Very casual.
The bus journey was wonderful, comfortable and scenic. I would tend to book your tickets when you arrive in Split, as the ferry and bus terminals are basically in the same area. We stayed in Trogir and it was divine.But we did stay for a few nights and did a day trip into Split. I have found that getting from one place to the next is time-consuming and tiring.So I think your decision re your first night really all depends on what time you arrive in Split and what time your bus departs the next day. I guess if you do change your booking to Split, you could do a side trip to Trogir.....about 30 minutes by bus. (and being without luggage makes life easier).
But whatever you do,have a wonderful trip. We loved Croatia and I'm sure you will too!
Linda

Linda.

Thank you for your respond to my concern.Now I know for sure I am going by bus to Dubrovnik.Nice of you to share your experience ( the visa issue and people like me benefit from )and its thru reading all the beautiful report about Croatia that make me decide to visit.I appreciate and I am sure we shall all love Croatia just like you.

JdJ:

To answer your question: Our experience with the Split/Trogir question was that we originally intended to spend at least one night in Trogir. We arrived in Split from Hvar, and found a Sobe there. On impulse, we took a bus up to Trogir that afternoon, just to get a feel of the place. Our plan would be to come back to Split, spend the night and then go back up to Trogir for the following night.

We spent the afternoon in Trogir, walked the town, ate a nice lunch on the front, did some shopping in the town and along the canal, sat and had a beer at an outdoor place, grabbed a gelato as we poked round in an antique shop, looked at a church, and then hopped the bus back to Split.

On the bus, we looked at each other and said, "That was a nice town; we have seen it. No need to go back." We explored Slit some more the next day and then hopped a bus headed down the coast toward Dubrovnik.

My suggestion would be that, unless your Sons meet some lovelies in Trogir, a full day would be enough.

If your sons don't meet the loves of their lives in Trogir, tell them that the East-West Bar, not far from the Ploce gate in Dubrovnik would be a good place to meet people their own ages.

Hi Nukesafe,

Thanks for sharing your experience with me regarding Trogir.Looks like we stay in
split will be better and do a day trip when we arrive in Split which will be 7.00am from Ancona.Understanding that there will be a 13.30 bus to dubrovnik.So we shall have a full day in Trogir and back to Split for the night.Next day we shall have half a day to explore Split before we move onto Dubrovnik.Do you think this is better?Split is the only night that our accomodation is not secure? Do you think we will be able to get sobe when we arrive?
Thanks
florence

JdJ:

I don't see why you couldn't find accomodations in Split. When We were in Spit there were folks meeting both the bus and the ferry with signs saying "Sobe" or "Zimmer", etc. If they are not there go to the Tourist Office. It's about 300 meters away, and up some stairs through Dicletians Palace, but they should help you find a place.

Actually, once we did not take the Sobe from the ferry landing, and went to the Tourist Office. Unfortunately, it was closed. A fellow in a jewelry shop saw us peering into the office and came over with, "My cousin has rooms to let." He called his cousin, we followed him a few blocks to meet his cousin who showed us the rooms. They were inexpensive and spotlessly clean. Even had a washing machine we could use.

Best od luck.

JdJ,

First, I have not been to Trogir. But we prefer smaller towns.

Seeing that the ferry arrives at Split rather early, I would use the early morning time for transit to Trogir (an hour by bus) and look around for a Sobe there for that night.

Next morning, return to the Split harbor by noon, get your tickets for an afternoon Dubrovnik bus (they leave every few hours), check your luggage there at the bus station, and spend a pleasant couple of hours eating lunch at the bayside cafes and strolling through the shops in Diocletian's palace -- both right next door.

metlc,

What you have suggested is quite good which I am also considering.Thks
And to all that have reply me,your sharing and info are valuable to me.I believe we are to have a wonderful trip.Thank you